Impact of dry recyclables collection schemes on plastics recycling in the UK: Circular economy highly depends on collection logistics

European Commission (EC) recently introduced a ‘Circular economy package’, setting ambitious recycling targets and identifying waste plastics as a key area where major improvements and focus is necessary. The importance of plastics as a landmark case for the circular economy is denoted by the significant report on ‘New plastics economy’ released by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The multiple array of challenges faced up for used plastics has been vividly exemplified in a recent International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) report looking at the polypropylene (PP) case (‘Closing the loops’). Here, we take a closer look at collection modalities, a crucial aspect affecting the quantity and quality of recycling, using recent empirical serial data from household (HH) dry recyclables collection in the UK, and specifically within the devolved administration of England.